Both Littlehampton RNLI lifeboats assist in search for missing person.

Lifeboats News Release

Friday 29 June 2018

The volunteer crews of Littlehampton lifeboat station were paged at 6.48pm on Thursday 28 June following a call from the UK Coastguard. The stations Atlantic 85 lifeboat Renée Sherman and D Class lifeboat Ray of Hope launched at 6.57pm and 7.01pm respectively.

The lifeboats headed out in fine weather conditions and good visibility towards the reported scene, off Felpham shoreline, where the person had been seen swimming. Both lifeboat crews commenced a detailed search of the coastline, between Littlehampton and Felpham, UK Coastguard Coastal Rescue Team checked along the shoreline. During the search, a VHF radio call from the UK Coastguard was received by one of the lifeboats advising that the person had been found safe and well. Both lifeboats were stood down and returned to the station at 7.20pm, where they were refuelled and made ready for service.

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.